The Big Smoke
The Big Smoke by Adrian Matejka, published by Penguin on May 28, 2013, is a collection of poetry that delves into the life and legacy of the legendary prizefighter Jack Johnson. This edition spans 128 pages and is presented in English. Through a series of poems, Matejka examines Johnson’s journey from his roots as the child of emancipated slaves to becoming the first African-American heavyweight world champion, all while navigating the challenges posed by a racially divided America.
Readers will find a nuanced exploration of Johnson’s life, characterized by the multi-layered voices of both Johnson and the women he loved. The work serves as both a historic reclamation and an interrogation of Johnson’s complex legacy, addressing themes of discrimination and identity within the context of American sports and society. This thoughtful examination invites readers to reconsider the narratives surrounding this iconic figure, offering insights into the intersections of race, fame, and personal struggle.
Official synopsis Publisher
A suite of poems examining the myth and history of the legendary prizefighter Jack Johnson—a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award—from the author, with Youssef Daoudi, of the graphic novel Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century
The legendary Jack Johnson (1878–1946) was a true American creation. The child of emancipated slaves, he overcame the violent segregationism of Jim Crow, challenging white boxers—and white America—to become the first African-American heavyweight world champion. The Big Smoke, Adrian Matejka’s third work of poetry, follows the fighter’s journey from poverty to the most coveted title in sports through the multi-layered voices of Johnson and the white women he brazenly loved. Matejka’s book is part historic reclamation and part interrogation of Johnson’s complicated legacy, one that often misremembers the magnetic man behind the myth.
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